Illinois § 125-10

§ 125-10.

Petition and referendum. (a) Legal voters of a township numbering no less than 5% or 50, whichever is greater, of the registered voters of the township, may file a petition in writing in the office of the circuit clerk in the county in which the township is located, with a copy of such petition required to be filed on the same day with the township clerk, asking that a referendum be held to authorize the issuance of bonds for the purpose of providing funds for the purchase and improvement of one or more public parks in the township. The petition shall designate the amount of bonds proposed to be issued for the acquirement and improvement of the parks. Within 5 business days after the filing of the petition, the township clerk shall provide public notice of the existence of the filed petition in the same manner as notices of meetings of the township board are provided. After a hearing conducted no less than 30 days after the filing of the petition, at which time the validity of the petition may be challenged in accordance with the general election law, the circuit court, if it determines that the petition conforms with the requirements of the law, shall certify the question to the proper election officials, who shall submit the question at an election to the legally qualified voters of the township. The court shall designate the election at which the question shall be submitted. The notice of the referendum shall state the amount of bonds proposed to be issued and identify any specific park acquisition or improvement projects intended to be supported by the bond proceeds, and the notice shall be given and the referendum conducted in accordance with the general election law. (b) The proposition at the referendum shall be substantially in one of the following forms: Form A Shall (name of township) be authorized to issue park bonds to the amount of $(amount) for the purpose of procuring and improving one or more small parks? Form B Shall (name of township) be authorized to issue park bonds to the amount of $ (amount) for the purpose of (identify specific park acquisition or improvement projects)? The votes shall be recorded as "Yes" or "No". (c) If a majority of the votes cast upon the proposition are in favor of the issuance of bonds, the township supervisor and township clerk shall issue the bonds of the township not exceeding the amount voted upon at the township election. The bonds shall become due not more than 20 years after their date, shall be in denominations of $100 or any multiple of $100, and shall bear interest, evidenced by coupons, at the rate of not exceeding 5% per annum, payable semiannually. (Source: P.A. 94-622, eff. 8-18-05.)